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---Bahrain's Capt. Fahad Sadeq with the winning Tropy of ACC MECup 2006
Web Posted 27th Feb. 2006
Kuwait, A fantastic all round performance by Asghar Bajwa of Bahrain dashed Afghanistan’s hopes of winning the prestigious ACC Middle East Cup 2006, played at KOC Ahmadi ground . In a tensed and exiting finals played, both the teams matched neck to neck but experience prevailed over the much talented Afghanistan outfit and Bahrain won the match by 3 wickets. The finals was witnessed by a jam packed crowd crammed into The Ahmadi ground to see minnows Afghanistan play their fancied rivals and the spectators, in a party mood from the very first over cheered and encouraged the teams throughout the match.
Bahrain won the toss & decided to field first. Karim Sadiq & Abdul Nassar opened the innings for Afghanistan and displayed some attacking cricket and as this pair was looking dangerous, Karim holed out to Fahd Sadiq of Rizwan for 15 runs. The stylish right handed batsman Navroz Mangal then joined Abdul Nassar and both launched into the attack as Abdul Nassar smacking Rizwan back over his head and then carving him twice to the cover boundary for fours. Navroz, meanwhile punched Fahd Sadiq at backward point and then cover drove Qamar Saeed for 2 fours to send the crowd in raptures.
Asgher Bajwa of Bahrain Getting the Man of the Match Award - He was also the Man of the series
Asghar Bajwa, who was brought from the South end then ended the innings of Navroz Mangal ( 19 runs) with a brute of a ball which turned sharply after pitching to uproot the off stump. Bahrain skipper introduced double spin attack as this produced the much needed breakthrough for Bahrain as Abdul Nassar attempting to pull a short delivery of Asharaf Baig, drove it straight away to the hands of Asghar Bajwa who took a stunning blinder. Abdul Nassar scored a cracking 49 runs with I six & 6 fours. Afghanistan skipper Raees Ahmadzi & Noor Ali were then engaged in a good partnership of 73 runs. Both were cautious in playing and steadily built up the total by running some unbelievable singles & twos when Tahir Dar foxed Noor Ali to pull one to Akmal for a well made 31 runs. The Bahraini spinners then ran through eh Afghanistan tail and polished them to 194 runs. Raees Ahmadzi scored a valuable 36 runs for Afghanistan.
Bowling honors for Bahrain were shared by Qamar Saeed 3/34, Asghar Bajwa 3/19 While Rizwan 1/31, Asharaf Baig 1/29 & Tahir Dar 1/32 supported them well.
--Asgher Bajwa in action in the Final day of ACC Middle East cup 2006
Chasing a moderate target of 194, Bahrain were soon in trouble as they lost Rizwan who went for a needless single to be run out. Afghanistan opening bowlers were right on target and specially the left arm bowler Shapoor bowled with fire. On the other hand opener Fahd Sadiq had to retire after having a muscle pull & one drop Abdul Waheed was soon back in the pavilion leaving Bahrain in a dire state. It was at this stage that Asghar Bajwa & Asharf Baig joined together to lay a winning foundation for Bahrain. As Bahrain struggled to raise themselves one last time to save a match they appeared to have the needed luck to go their way. Both Asghar & Asharaf played sensible cricket and once they settled, gorged themselves on some weary bowling, unleashing a string of boundaries to the delight the Bahrain supporters. Asharaf Baig scored a fantastic knock of 48 runs and even though Bahrain lost a couple of batsmen in the middle order, Asghar Bajwa & Akmal Mallik pulled of the required runs with Bahrain loosing seven wickets. Asghar Bajwa top scored for Bahrain with a painstaking 63 runs which contained 1 six & 7 fours declared man of the match and man of the series for his outright performances.
Mohd Nabi & Abdul Nasar shared 2 wickets each while Shahpoor & Raees Ahmadzi took a wicket each for Afghanistan.
This ACC Middle East Cup 2006 tournament was sponsored by Nissan Al Babtain. The event was co-sponsored by Domino’s Pizza, MK Electric, National Bank of Kuwait, Al Essa Medical & Scientific Equipment Co., Baker Atlas, Refreshment Trading Company. (Coca Cola) and Raith Engineering. The Guests of Honor were Sami Al Shimri of Kuwait Olympic Committee, Farooq Sayed and Shahid of Nissan Al Babtain who together gave away the winners trophy, and the Ambassador of Afghanistan Mohammad Yousuf Samad who gave away the runner’s up trophy. Shahid Mirza-CEO KCA gave away the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards to Asghar Bajwa of Bahrain. The ACC Development Officer Iqbal Sikander in his address to the audience appreciated the great efforts of KCA in organizing this tournament successfully. He thanked all the sponsors, members of KCA and everyone concerned for their hard work. Mr. Sikander who represented Pakistan in the past and was a member of the squad who won the 1996 World Cup, praised KOC , KEC and Gulf Consult, for maintaining a high standard of cricket being played at their three centers and the impressive facilities they are providing which they continue to upgrade. All the three centers received a commemoration plaque for their superlative efforts from KCA. |
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